European Red List of Habitats - Forests Habitat Group

G3.4d Mediterranean montane Cedrus woodland

SummaryIn Europe, C. libani subsp. brevifolia woodlands are endemic to Cyprus occurring in a restricted area of thePaphos forest where there is a sub-humid bioclimate. They occur as pure stands or mixed with Pinus brutiaor Quercus alnifolia and grow on shallow to deep serpentine soils. The main threats are fire, grazing andlogging and the habitat needs legal protection and appropriate management.

SynthesisThe habitat is assessed as Vulnerable (VU) for the EU28 (and EU28+) based on the criteria B1, B2 and B3,due to the very few locations where the habitat is present, making it vulnerable to stochastic events,especially fire. For all other criteria for which data are available the habitat is assessed as Least Concern.

Overall Category & CriteriaEU 28 EU 28+

Red List Category Red List Criteria Red List Category Red List CriteriaVulnerable B1, B2, B3 Vulnerable B1, B2, B3

Sub-habitat types that may require further examinationAs concerns the habitat within its European-Mediterranean distribution limits, no differentiation in sub-habitat types is neccessary, and no sub-habitats have been recognized within the Annex I habitat typology.If we take the distribution range as a total, beyond the Eu28+, we should distinguish sub-habitat typesaccording to the dominant canopy tree for the Cedrus woodlands occuring in Morocco, Algeria, Syria,Turkey and Lebanon.

Habitat TypeCode and nameG3.4d Mediterranean montane Cedrus woodland

Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia woodlands at the Paphos forest (Photo: CharalamposChristodoulou).

Mixed Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia and Pinus brutia woodlands at the Paphosforest, with openings with Quercus alnifolia stands (Photo: CharalamposChristodoulou).

Habitat descriptionTo describe the habitat, we refer at first to the native Cedrus species in the Mediterranean: Cedrusatlantica and Cedrus libani. The latter species includes two subspecies: libani and brevifolia. Cedrusatlantica is distributed in Morocco (Rif, Middle Atlas and north-east of the High Atlas) and Algeria (Aurés,

1

Belezma, Hodna, Djbel Babor, Djurdjura, Blida and Ouarsenis). Cedrus libani subsp. libani is distributed inLebanon, Syria and Asiatic Turkey. In Turkey and especially on the Taurus Mountains it forms extensiveforests, while in the other two countries it is represented by small populations.

Within the geographical scope of the Red List project only the woodlands with Cedrus libani subsp.brevifolia are of relevance. Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia is endemic to Cyprus, growing in a restrictedarea of the Paphos forest. It is found in the meso-Mediterranean to the mid supra-Mediterranean zone(altitude 900–1.400 m a.s.l.) in areas with sub-humid climate. It forms pure forests or mixed ones withPinus brutia or Quercus alnifolia and it grows mainly on serpentine (diabase) substrates and on shallow todeep soils.

Indicators of quality:

No forest exploitations●

Natural composition of canopy, canopy of woodland species not fragmented and competitive dominance●

of Cedrus species against other tree species;Structural diversity/ complexity with (semi)natural age structure or completeness of layers●

Typical flora and fauna composition of the region●

Presence of old aged trees with spreading crown, large height and basal area and a variety of dead wood●

(lying or standing) and the associated flora, fauna and fungiPresence of natural disturbance such as treefall openings with natural regeneration●

Survival of larger stands of forest without anthropogenic fragmentation and isolation (to support fauna●

which need large undisturbed forests)Absence of non-native species in all layers (flora & fauna)●

No signs of disturbance (e.g. grazing, unregulated logging) or regressive succession;●

No man-induced very high population levels of ungulates●

Characteristic species:

Trees: Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia, Quercus alnifolia

Understorey: Arrhenatherum album subsp. cypricola, Crepis fraasii, Cyclamen cyprium, Lactuca cyprica,Lecokia cretica, Pteridium aquilinum, Stellaria cilicica

ClassificationThis habitat may be equivalent to, or broader than, or narrower than the habitats or ecosystems in thefollowing typologies.

EUNIS:

G3.9 Coniferous woodland dominated by [Cupressaceae] or [Taxaceae]

EuroVegChecklist:

Querco-Cedrion libani Barbero et al. 1974

Annex I:

9590 *Cedrus brevifolia forests (Cedrosetum brevifoliae)

Emerald:

G3.9 Coniferous woodland dominated by Cupressaceae or Taxaceae

MAES-2:

Woodland and forest

2

IUCN:

1.4 (Temperate Forest)

EFT:

6.10.9 Cedar forest

Does the habitat type present an outstanding example of typical characteristics of oneor more biogeographic regions?Yes

RegionsMediterranean

JustificationThe endemic Cedrus woodlands in Cyprus represent an outstanding example of the Mediterraneanbiogeographic region, as the genus Cedrus is native to the Mediterranean region of Morocco, Algeria, Syria,Lebanon, Turkey (Anatolia) and Cyprus.

Geographic occurrence and trends

EU 28 Present or PresenceUncertain

Current area ofhabitat

Recent trend in quantity(last 50 yrs)

Recent trend in quality(last 50 yrs)

Cyprus Present 2.9 Km2 Stable Stable

Extent of Occurrence, Area of Occupancy and habitat area Extent of Occurrence

(EOO)Area of Occupancy

(AOO)Current estimated

Total Area Comment

EU 28 200 Km2 2 2.9 Km2 Only in Cyprus

EU 28+ 200 Km2 2 2.9 Km2 More widespread outsidethe EU28+

Distribution map

3

Map is complete. Data sources: Art17.

How much of the current distribution of the habitat type lies within the EU 28?100% for the endemic habitat with Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia. However, if the habitat is defined toinclude all Mediterranean Cedrus woodland, the percentage within the EU is less than 1% (the total Cedruswoodland area is estimated to be 2800 km2).

Trends in quantityThe trend in the area covered by the habitat, as well as its distribution is stable within the EU (Cyprus). It isdecreasing to stable in the not EU28+ countries of the distribution of the Mediterranean montane Cedruswoodland.

Average current trend in quantity (extent)●

EU 28: StableEU 28+: StableDoes the habitat type have a small natural range following regression?●

NoJustificationAs far as it is known, there are no records of reduction in the natural range of the Cedrus libani subsp.brevifolia woodlands due to deterioration or destruction of their stands in Cyprus. So, even if the range isvery small, the answer is No.Does the habitat have a small natural range by reason of its intrinsically restricted area?●

YesJustificationThe pure forests or mixed ones with Pinus brutia or Quercus alnifolia of Cedrus libani subsp. brevifoliawhich are endemic to Cyprus, occur in a restricted area of the Paphos forest on serpentine (diabase)

4

substrata.

Trends in qualityBased on the conservation status of the structure and functions of the habitat type 9590, it is evident thatthe current quality is favourable and the future prospects are also favourable. All the indicators of qualitydocument the current trend in quality:

Regeneration of Cedrus species as well as of the other typical tree species of the Cedrus forest●

communities;Existence of old aged trees with spreading crown, large height and basal area;●

Existence of dead wood with cover higher than 5%;●

Natural stand (not formed by reforestation);●

Competitive dominance of Cedrus species against other tree species;●

No signs of disturbance (e.g. grazing, unregulated logging) or regressive succession;●

Canopy of woodland species not fragmented;●

Low levels of soil compactness, absence of trampling and erosion (especially in the form of rills and●

gullies), high cover of litter and well developed Ah horizon.

Average current trend in quality●

EU 28: IncreasingEU 28+: -

Pressures and threats

The main threat to the habitat is related to the climate change and the possible effects to the structureand functions of the Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia forests in Cyprus. Outside Europe (non EU 28+), in thecountries of its distribution, grazing, logging, fire, winter sports and urbanization are the main threats forthe conservation the habitat woodland stands.

List of pressures and threatsSylviculture, forestry

Removal of forest undergrowthGrazing in forests/ woodland

Urbanisation, residential and commercial developmentDiscontinuous urbanisation

Geological events, natural catastrophesFire (natural)

Climate changeTemperature changes (e.g. rise of temperature & extremes)Droughts and less precipitations

Conservation and management

The management measures applied at the Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia forests within the Natura 2000site "Koilada ton Kedron-Kampos" is sufficient and effective for their conservation at Favorable status.

List of conservation and management needs

5

Measures related to forests and wooded habitatsOther forestry-related measuresRestoring/Improving forest habitatsAdapt forest management

Conservation statusAnnex I:

9590: MED FV

When severely damaged, does the habitat retain the capacity to recover its typicalcharacter and functionality?As far as known there is no scientific documentation on the recovery of the Cedrus brevifolia forests inCyprus. However it should be mentioned that Cedrus libani subsp. brevifolia has been used the previousyears by the Forestry Depertment for reforestation efforts implemented at the forests of Troodos, Pafosand Adelfoi.

Effort required20 years 50+ years

Through intervention Naturally

Red List Assessment

Criterion A: Reduction in quantityCriterion A A1 A2a A2b A3

EU 28 0 % unknown % unknown % unknown %EU 28+ 0 % unknown % unknown % unknown %

A stable trend for the recent past wasbased on territorial data provided by the national experts in Cyprusand information provided from the Forestry of Department in Cyprus.

Criterion B: Restricted geographic distribution

Criterion BB1 B2

B3EOO a b c AOO a b c

EU 28 200 Km2 No No Yes 2 No No Yes YesEU 28+ 200 Km2 No No Yes 2 No No Yes Yes

The AOO and EOO are extremely small, but the subcriteria (a) and (b) for B1 and B2 are not met, as thereare no continuing declines or current threatening processes. However, the habitat can be assumed to existat very few locations (< 10); thus in the case of fire (a stochastic event) may cause a decline in area in thefuture. Therefore, the habitat is assessed as Vulnerable under B1 and B2 according to subcriteria (c) andunder B3.

Criterion C and D: Reduction in abiotic and/or biotic quality

Criteria C/DC/D1 C/D2 C/D3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity Extent affected Relative

severity Extent affected Relativeseverity

EU 28 0 % 0 % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown %

6

Criteria C/DC/D1 C/D2 C/D3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity Extent affected Relative

severity Extent affected Relativeseverity

EU 28+ 0 % 0 % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown %

Criterion CC1 C2 C3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

EU 28 unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown %EU 28+ unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown % unknown %

Criterion DD1 D2 D3

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

Extentaffected

Relativeseverity

EU 28 unknown % unknown% unknown % unknown% unknown % unknown%EU 28+ unknown % unknown% unknown % unknown% unknown % unknown%

Both biotic and abiotic quality of the habitat have not substantially reduced during the last 50 yearsin thestands of the habitat in Cyprus.

Criterion E: Quantitative analysis to evaluate risk of habitat collapseCriterion E Probability of collapse

EU 28 unknownEU 28+ unknown

There is no quantitative analysis available that estimates the probability of collapse of this habitat.

Overall assessment "Balance sheet" for EU 28 and EU 28+ A1 A2a A2b A3 B1 B2 B3 C/D1 C/D2 C/D3 C1 C2 C3 D1 D2 D3 E

EU28 LC DD DD DD VU VU VU LC DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DDEU28+ LC DD DD DD VU VU VU LC DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD DD

Overall Category & CriteriaEU 28 EU 28+

Red List Category Red List Criteria Red List Category Red List CriteriaVulnerable B1, B2, B3 Vulnerable B1, B2, B3

Confidence in the assessmentHigh (mainly based on quantitative data sources and/or scientific literature)

AssessorsP. Dimopoulos

ContributorsType description: I. Tsiripidis, P. Dimopoulos

Territorial data: Ch. Christodoulou

Working Group Forests: F. Attore, R-J. Bijlsma, M. Chytrý, P. Dimopoulos, B. Renaux, A. Ssymank, T. Tonteri,

7

M. Valderrabano

ReviewersJ. Janssen

Date of assessment20/12/2015

Date of review09/03/2016

References

Andreou M., Kadis K., Koutsovoulou K. & Thanos C.A. 2010. Management plan for the Plant Micro-Reserveof the species *Arabis kennedyae Meikle and the habitat type ‘*9590 Cedrus brevifolia forests’ at theNatura 2000 site ‘Koilada Kedron-Kampos’. Report Project PLANT-NET CY: LIFE08 NAT/CY/000453, FrederickUniversity, Nicosia.

Barbéro, M. & Quézel, P. 1979. Contribution à l'étude des groupments foréstiers de Chypre. Documentsphytosociologiques 4: 9-34.

Delipetrou P. & Christodoulou C.S. 2010. Identification and Mapping Guide of Annex I Habitat Types (Dir.92/43/EEC) in Cyprus. Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources andEnvironment. Lefkosia, Cyprus (in Greek).

Dimopoulos P. & Tsiripidis I. 2013. Surveillance and conservation status assessment for the Annex I habitattypes (Dir. 92/43/EEC) in Cyprus. Department of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resourcesand Environment. Lefkosia, Cyprus.

Eliades, N.-G., Gailing, O., Leinemann, L., Fady, B. & Finkeldey, R. 2011. High genetic diversity andsignificant population structure in Cedrus brevifolia Henry, a narrow endemic Mediterranean tree fromCyprus. Plant Systematics and Evolution 294: 185-198.

8